The Daily

The Witte Museum Reveals Mayan Civilization in Stunning New Exhibition

An actor impersonates Ixchel, the Maya goddess of motherhood, fertility and the moon.

This weekend you can travel back in time and learn about the marvels of what was once one of the Western Hemisphere's most advanced cultures: the Maya.

The much anticipated "Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed," a 10,000-square-foot exhibit, opens Saturday in the Witte Museum's new Mays Family Center.

"'Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed' beautifully represents the impact the Maya had on the world we live in today. The exhibition is immersive, so that entire families can experience the way Mayans lived, learning their calendars, mathematics, and cosmology through interactive opportunities," Witte President and CEO Marise McDermott says. "The exhibition is massive, the largest ever at the Witte, so we recommend scheduling a longer than average time to enjoy the exhibition, demonstrations and programs."

Mark Reagan | San Antonio Current

Opening day promises to be a fun and educational experience for all ages, with an opening ceremony at 9:45 a.m. with Grupo Pakal, a group that celebrates Mayan culture through ceremonial dance, authentic wardrobes and traditional music.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dr. Dig will be available to help explore the Bonampak murals of Chiapas, Mexico. Dr. Jaime Awe, a Maya archeologist, will be available between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for an exploration and intimate conversation about important artifacts displayed. From 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sheba Velasco, a Maya cultural interpreter, will provide a weaving demonstration. Velasco will also provide a cacao demonstration at 1:30 p.m. Storyteller Carolina Quiroga-Stultz will weave ancient tales through dramatic and interactive presentations between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. In a special treat, Grupo Pakal will provide an interpretation of the legendary Maya ballgame between 1 and 3 p.m. Grupo Pakal will close the day with a ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

And that's just Saturday. The exhibit will run from May 14 through September 5, and promises visitors a glimpse at the cross-section of Maya life, from the powerful kings to the laborers. Throughout the exhibition, Ixchel, the Maya goddess of fertility, motherhood and the moon, will lead followers through the exhibit to show how the Maya so expertly charted the skies.

Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers, plus general admission. Call (210) 357-1910 to purchase tickets or visit the Witte Museum online.

Mark Reagan | San Antonio Current

Grupo Pakal will be on-hand all day Saturday, May 14, as the Witte Museum opens "Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed."